2018 RBC Canadian Open Preview

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Six Things To Know

The 2019 RBC Canadian Open will have a new date, June 3-9, the week prior to the U.S. Open. Next year’s revamped schedule of 46 events features an improved flow, with a cadence of significant championships for five consecutive months starting with THE PLAYERS Championship in March and ending with The Open Championship in July, just prior to the start of the FedExCup Playoffs. The three events in the FedExCup Playoffs will be contested in August, with the TOUR Championship being played August 22-25, prior to the start of college/NFL

Jhonattan Vegas is looking to win his third consecutive title at the event; last player to win same event three consecutive years was Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic (2009-2011).

Several perennial FedExCup Playoffs participants are on the Top 125 bubble and in the field with four weeks remaining to qualify (see below for details).

Two of the top four in the FedExCup standings are in the field: Dustin Johnson (1) and Bubba Watson (4)

Natives in the field looking to end victory drought at Canada’s national championship that dates back to 1954 (Pat Fletcher) include RBC ambassador Adam Hadwin, who sits No. 61 in the FedExCup standings. Hadwin won the 2017 Valspar Championship and represented Canada at the 2017 Presidents Cup playing for the International

The top three players on the 2018 Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit earn exemptions into the RBC Canadian Open. Three former Mackenzie Tour Players of the Year are in this year’s field: Mackenzie Hughes (2013), Joel Dahmen (2014) and J.J. Spaun (2015).

Field by the numbers

This is the 109th playing of the tournament (est. 1904)

Six of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, led by Dustin Johnson (1), Bubba Watson (4) and Tony Finau (10)

12 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by Dustin Johnson (1), Brooks Koepka (4) and Tommy Fleetwood (11)

Race for the FedExCup

40th of 44 events in the PGA TOUR regular season

In six of 11 years, the winner of the RBC Canadian Open has qualified for the TOUR Championship, the final event of the FedExCup Playoffs that crowns the FedExCup champion: Jhonattan Vegas (2016, 2017), Jason Day (2015), Brandt Snedeker (2013), Scott Piercy (2012) and Jim Furyk (2007)

Push for the FedExCup Playoffs

The top 125 players in the FedExCup standings following the Wyndham Championship are qualified for THE NORTHERN TRUST, the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs. With the Playoffs just four weeks away, a look at players trying to secure a berth:

Jhonattan Vegas (FedExCup standing: 122): Two-time defending RBC Canadian Open champion has qualified for the TOUR Championship in each of the past two seasons (final standings: 23/2017, 29/2016)

Harris English (130): Has qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in each of his six seasons on TOUR (2012 through 2016-17)

Sergio Garcia (132): One of 13 players to have qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in each season

Steve Stricker (141): Has missed the Playoffs just once in his career (2015; played only nine events) and has finished in the top five of the final standings three times (2nd/2007, 3rd/2009, 3rd/2013)

Bill Haas (144): Is one of 13 players to have qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in each season

Jhonattan Vegas at the RBC Canadian Open

Defeated Charley Hoffman in a playoff in 2017 with a birdie on the first extra hole

Became the sixth repeat winner of the RBC Canadian Open and first since Jim Furyk in 2006-07

Could become the first player in tournament history to win the event three times in a row

Last player to win the same event three consecutive years: Steve Stricker, 2009-11 John Deere Classic

In his only previous start at the event, was T4 after 54 holes before a final-round 74 resulted in a T18

Won his second consecutive U.S. Open title in June

Has qualified for the TOUR Championship in two of three seasons on TOUR (2015, 2017)

Notable Canadian players in the field Adam Hadwin

Native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and resident of Abbotsford, British Columbia

Eight previous starts at the event with two top-10s (T7/2015, T4/2011)

61 in FedExCup standings

PGA TOUR wins (1): 2017 Valspar Championship

Corey Conners

Native and resident of Listowel, Ontario

One made cut in four starts at RBC Canadian Open (80th/2016)

126 in FedExCup standings (rookie on TOUR)

Lone 2017-18 top-10 came at the Fort Worth Invitational (T8)

Mackenzie Hughes

Native of Hamilton, Ontario

2013 Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada Player of the Year

One made cut in three starts at RBC Canadian Open (T32/2017)

174 in FedExCup standings

PGA TOUR wins (1): 2016 The RSM Classic

Nick Taylor

Native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and resident of Abbotsford, British Columbia

Two made cuts in eight starts at RBC Canadian Open (T56/2015, T53/2008)

127 in FedExCup standings

PGA TOUR wins (1): 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship

David Hearn

Native of Brampton, Ontario, and resident of Brantford, Ontario

Finished 3rd at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open (best result in 15 starts)

148 in FedExCup standings

Has two professional wins in Canada: 2004 Alberta Classic (Web.com Tour) and 2004 Times Colonist Open (Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada)

Best result in 2017-18 came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (T10)

Three players earn RBC Canadian Open exemptions through Mackenzie Tour

The top three players in the current Mackenzie Tour Order of Merit earn exemptions into this week’s RBC Canadian Open:

Zach Wright: No. 1 in the Order of Merit with five top-10 finishes in seven starts, including three runner-up finishes; 24-year-old played collegiately at

Sam Fidone: 25-year-old moved from No. 4 to No. 2 last week with a T8 at the Osprey Valley Open; Captured the Bayview Place Open in June; Texas native attended

George Cunningham: No. 3 in the Order of Merit, Cunningham won the GolfBC Championship in June and has three top-10s in seven starts; 22-year-old native of Colorado played collegiately at the University of Arizon